The Star Wars Prequels had the best costumes of the entire franchise. The recipient of the majority of these masterpieces was Padmé Amidala. Whether she was a queen or a senator, she more than dressed the part.
Trisha Biggar is the woman behind the costumed beauty of the Prequels. Drawing inspiration from around the world, Trisha created many looks for Padmé that became iconic. It's hard to exclude any of Padmé's outfits from this list, but we've narrowed it down to the ten best looks.
Parade Gown
Worn at the end of The Phantom Menace during the Freedom Day parade celebrating the freedom of Naboo, the Parade Gown is a feathery spectacle. It features a cloak made of scraps of fabric colored like the many shades of a peach and a silky slip dress underneath.
The most striking part of the outfit, however, is the taut, parasol-like circle behind her head. It's reminiscent of a lizard's display of aggression, or, more aptly, the golden circle behind the head of Mary, a Madonna.
Battle Handmaiden
Padmé isn't a queen who lets others do the dirty work for her. She likes to be in the center of the action, protecting her people. So when it's time to defend Naboo, she dons the battle outfit of her handmaidens and jumps into the fray.
A simple garment, compared to her other costumes, the battle outfit consists of pants paired with an overcoat. It's one of the most practical of her outfits. Made of a velvety fabric in a deep burgundy, the battle handmaiden costume is subtle and classy.
Flame Handmaiden
Padmé uses a decoy queen to protect herself in The Phantom Menace. While one of her handmaidens plays the part of queen, Padmé disguises herself as the handmaiden in her place. One of their most iconic outfits is the flame dress.
Consisting of an orange-to-yellow ombré velvet gown, the outfit is perfect for making the handmaidens look identical. A hood covers their hair and conceals their identity. Long sleeves and the hood leave only their faces and hands uncovered.
Lake Dress
Perhaps the most elegant of the gowns from Attack of the Clones, the lake dress is a gorgeous flowing gown that ripples like water itself. It's another ombré, this time from cream to purple.
The top of the gown is secured by a halter made of silver metal. Its sleeves reach from wrist to above the elbow and are secured by another silver cuff. The gorgeous way this gown drapes would make anyone fall in love with the woman wearing it.
Arena Outfit
Padmé arrives at Geonosis dressed to work. When she's sent to her death in the arena, her outfit comes in handy. The arena outfit is a white jumpsuit with a knit cream cape. It includes a utility belt and silver arm cuffs for fashion.
Of course, the outfit gets the midriff ripped off by the Nexu during the battle, exposing Padmé's fit belly. Even destroyed, the arena outfit is practical and fashionable.
Wedding Gown
Padmé marries Anakin in a secret ceremony on Naboo at the end of Attack of the Clones. For her wedding, she wears a dress anyone would be proud to wear. It's a slightly off-white gown covered in intricate lace.
The veil falls to Padmé's waist and is embroidered with small pearls. It comes up to cover her head tightly like a skullcap. It's an incredibly elegant look, fit for a queen.
Water Gown
The most tragic entry on this list is Padmé's funeral gown, known as the water gown. After dying in childbirth, Padmé returns to Naboo to be mourned by her people. Laid out in a hover casket, Padmé looks like a gorgeous water spirit.
The gown she wears is blue with crinkled pleats that make waves in the fabric. She also wears a velvet (Padmé loves velvet, it seems) cloak in varying shades of blue and sea green littered with subtle sequins that provide a watery sparkle.
Senate Gown
The Senate Gown is one of the most ornate outfits Padmé wears. She wears it while Queen of Naboo, a role which has certain dress and comportment codes. It requires elaborate gowns and an emotionless facade.
The Senate Gown includes a floor-length iridescent orange silk gown, mostly covered by a full robe with embroidered edges. The robe is made of velvet, again, and crushed towards the bottom. The most striking feature is the headdress, inspired by Mongolian wedding fashion.
Post-Senate Gown
Worn after her disappointing visit to the Senate, the post-senate gown or the coruscant gown is a clear testament to Padmé's emotions. It's made up of a black gown topped by a lengthy, soft robe with intricate beadwork.
Not enough attention has been paid to Padmé's hairstyles in this list, but they are as intricate and detailed as her gowns. This look features a three-pronged style that, when paired with her white-painted face and red cheek dots, makes her look like a porcelain doll.
Invasion Gown
The invasion gown is the grandest of all the gowns. It's made of red fabric with brown fur trim. Its center is richly embroidered with gold thread. There are even orbs embedded in the fabric around the ankles.
The headpiece is the stunner of this outfit. Padmé's hair forms an enormous coil around her face upon which the red and gold headdress is placed. Paired with the unique bottom lip lipstick stripe, this is the most iconic Padmé look.